BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A man who prosecutors said stabbed a woman in the heart and then proceeded to call her afterward from jail was convicted this week for attempted manslaughter and domestic violence, according to the Kern County District Attorney's Office.
Julio Angel Torrez Jr. was found guilty Tuesday of attempted voluntary manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, and misdemeanor child abuse.
Prosecutors said on March 20, 2019, Torrez was heard arguing with a woman in her apartment. Later that night, neighbors reported to police they heard screaming and observed the victim running down the stairs from her apartment unit with her two children, ages 11 and 4, before she collapsed. Witnesses said after that, they saw Torrez running from the apartment.
The victim had suffered three stab wounds: one in the arm, one in the chest, and another stab wound in her heart. Police searched the victim’s apartment and found blood on the walls, a discarded kitchen knife used in the stabbing, and identifying information of Torrez.
The next day, Torrez went to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a new ID where he was confronted by a California Highway Patrol Officer.
Torrez resisted arrest and gave a fake name. Upon his arrest, officers said they saw three horizontal cuts on Torrez’ hand, consistent with offensive marks expected from a stabbing.
The DA's office said the victim survived the attack and while in prison, Torrez made multiple phone calls to the victim in an attempt to get her not to talk to police or prosecutors.
The victim did not testify at the trial.
Torrez is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 2. He faces up to 23 years in prison.
